Smithsonian to Outsource Catalog Fulfillment

The Smithsonian Institution said last month that it would close the Smithsonian Catalogue fulfillment center in Chantilly, VA, and outsource its operations.

The move aims to reduce operating costs and improve the profitability of the mail-order business, the organization said.

About 70 fulfillment employees will be laid off, and about 15 will be moved to another location.

The facility is to shut down in three phases starting June 15. The call center will close first, followed by the shipping, receiving, inventory control and MIS functions in late July. Finally, functions not being outsourced, including finance and control and purchasing and marketing, will be relocated. The date is still undetermined.

Smithsonian Business Ventures said the closure will save millions of dollars a year that will support Smithsonian programs.